How To Cook Frozen Peas

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Learn how to cook frozen peas that turn out crisp-tender and incredibly delicious. Choose from skillet, steam, boil, or microwave methods to easily turn frozen peas into a flavorful and versatile side dish. 

Suitable for vegetarian and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

top down view of how to cook frozen peas in a skillet with a read handle

Bright green peas are perfect for your favorite meals or holiday dinners. Frozen peas a crisp yet tender and perfectly fresh. And it’s so incredibly quick and easy to learn how to cook frozen peas, you’ll want to add them to all sorts of meals. 

Green peas are bright and fresh and have a lovely texture. Frozen sweet peas are flash steamed, so they are already cooked. Simply reheat them using one of these gentle methods and season them to taste. You are minutes away from a fresh, healthy side dish you will love. 

Friends, I’ve gathered all the info you need to learn how to cook frozen peas the right way. Say goodbye to mushy, shriveled, and overcooked sweet peas. This frozen green peas recipe teaches you how to cook petit peas with several different methods that turn out perfectly every single time.

And for even more tips for cooking tasty frozen veggies, check out How to Cook Frozen Asparagus, How To Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts, and How to Cook Frozen Broccoli. #frozenveggiesforthewin

the completed how to cook frozen peas recipe

Why Make This Recipe

  • Nutritious – Frozen peas are flash-steamed and packed at the peak of ripeness, so they are just as healthy as fresh peas.  
  • So Simple – You don’t have to thaw frozen peas, so no matter which method you choose, cooking frozen veggies is quick and simple.  
  • Bursting With Flavor – Sweet peas have a lovely flavor that is elevated with butter, salt and pepper.  

Ingredient Notes

  • Frozen Peas – You’ll find several varieties of peas in the freezer section. Petit peas are small, tender, and sweet. Standard Green Peas are a but starchier and not as flavorful.  
  • Butter – Use salted or unsalted butter. 
  • Salt – Season to taste with kosher salt. You can also use freshly ground black pepper.
  • Fresh Herbs – Fresh mint complements peas very well, but use any fresh herbs you have on hand. 

Ready to learn how to cook peas? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Cook Frozen Peas In A Skillet

  1. Add frozen peas and butter to a preheated skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the butter is bubbly and the peas are warmed – about 5 minutes.
  2. Add chopped mint and season to taste with salt. 
  3. Mix well and then serve.
image collage showing how to cook frozen peas in a skillet

How To Steam Frozen Peas

  1. Add about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of water to a saucepan. Top with a steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. 
  2. Add the frozen vegetables to the basket. Cover and steam for about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Transfer the hot peas to a serving dish and stir in butter, salt, and herbs.
  4. Serve.
image collage showing the steaming method for how to cook frozen peas

Cook Frozen Peas in Microwave

  1. Lightly oil and microwave safe dish.
  2. Combine the frozen peas, butter, salt, and about 3 tablespoons of water in the dish. 
  3. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
  4. Stir and then heat in 30 seconds increments until heated, though.
a white dish filled with cooked frozen peas

How To Boil Frozen Peas

  1.  Pour frozen peas into a sauce and cover with water. 
  2. Add the fresh herbs and bring to a boil for about 3 minutes. 
  3. Cover and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
  4. Drain the peas, then stir in butter, salt, and additional herbs.
  5. Serve warm.
image collage showing how to cook frozen peas by boiling

Expert Tips 

  • Always keep a bag of frozen peas in your freezer for easy cooked peas in minutes.
  • Do not defrost peas in advance. 
  • Try adding a small amount of sugar. It won’t make them sweet but complements the natural flavors and eliminated the frozen peas taste.
  • Don’t add salt until just before serving, as salt can dry out the peas. 
  • Frozen peas are already cooked, so you just need to warm them. Don’t overcook them. 
  • Shorter cooking times will yield crisper peas. For softer peas, add a minute or two to the cooking time. 

Delicious Variations

  • Use Oil – Replace the butter with a little bit of olive oil. This also makes the recipe vegetarian. 
  • Add Cheese – Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese just before serving for a nutty, cheesy flavor. 
  • Add Sugar – Stir in 2 teaspoons of sugar to bring out the natural flavors.
  • Add Citrus – A splash of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest makes plain old frozen peas taste delicious.
  • Use Broth – Replace water in the recipe with chicken broth for a sweet flavor.
top down view of the finished how to cook frozen peas in a white dish

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Go directly from the freezer to the cooking method. You do not need to thaw frozen peas. 
  • Store – Leftover peas can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
  • Freeze – You can freeze leftover peas for up to 3 months. They may be mushier when reheated. 
  • Reheat  – Reheat gently in the microwave or stovetop to avoid overcooking the peas. 

FAQs

Are Frozen Peas Precooked?

Frozen peas are flash steamed before they are frozen, so they are ready to eat.

How Long To Cook Frozen Peas?

The time for cooking peas will vary slightly depending on your preferred method for cooking sweet peas. It will take between 2 and 6 minutes to warm frozen peas. 

Do I Need To Thaw Frozen Peas Before Heating?

No! Frozen peas do not need to be thawed before cooking. Even when frozen, peas cook very quickly, so skip the thawing to save time.

close up view of a spoon removing cooked frozen peas from a pan

More Recipes You May Like

Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

the completed how to cook frozen peas recipe

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top down view of how to cook frozen peas in a skillet with a read handle
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How To Cook Frozen Peas

Learn how to easily cook frozen peas in just minutes.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Western
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 109kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (320g) frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • salt to taste
  • fresh herbs (optional)

Instructions

Skillet

  • Add frozen peas and butter to a preheated skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the butter is bubbly and the peas are warmed – about 5 minutes.
  • Add chopped mint and season to taste with salt.
  • Mix well and then serve.

Steam

  • Add about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of water to a saucepan. Top with a steamer basket and bring the water to a boil.
  • Add the frozen vegetables to the basket. Cover and steam for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Transfer the hot peas to a serving dish and stir in butter, salt and herbs.
  • Serve.

Microwave

  • Lightly oil and microwave safe dish.
  • Combine the frozen peas, butter, salt and about 3 tablespoons of water in the dish.
  • Microwave on high for 1 minute.
  • Stir and then heat in 30 seconds increments until heated through.

Boiled

  • Pour frozen peas into a sauce and cover with water.
  • Add the fresh herbs and bring to a boil for about 3 minutes.
  • Cover and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
  • Drain the peas, then stir in butter, salt and additional herbs.
  • Serve warm.
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Video

Notes

  • Do not defrost peas in advance. 
  • Try adding a small amount of sugar. It won’t make them sweet but compliments the natural flavors. 
  • Don’t add salt until just before serving, as salt can dry out the peas. 
  • Peas are already cooked, so you just need to warm them. Don’t overcook them. 
  • Shorter cooking times will yield crisper peas. For softer peas, add a minute or two to the cooking time.
  • Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 5 days.
  • There is 1 WW Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

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